Anambra State governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has suspended the traditional ruler of Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area, HRH Igwe Damain Ezeani, for conferring a chieftaincy title on senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabuneane, described the title as a phantom chieftaincy title.
He said the monarch was suspended for conferring the title on a person outside his kingdom without clearance from the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.
The commissioner said the chieftaincy title conferred on one Senator Ifeanyi Ubah violated the Code of Conduct and without clearance from the ministry.
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“Whether or not your action was for pecuniary reasons as being insinuated in many quarters is irrelevant. What is important is that your action is an affront to order and good governance,” he said.
According to the statement, the Code of Conduct for Traditional Rulers in Anambra (issued by the traditional rulers) provides that no traditional ruler can confer a chieftaincy title on anyone from outside his domain (his community) without obtaining the permission of the traditional ruler of the recipient’s community.
It said, “Furthermore, in the interest of security, order and good governance of the state, the state government has equally issued a directive through this ministry to the effect that no such chieftaincy title should be conferred by a traditional ruler on a recipient outside his town/community without obtaining clearance from the ministry. Among other reasons, this regulation is to curtail observed abuses including a growing trend whereby a minority of traditional rulers have demonstrated a penchant for trading chieftaincy titles for money thereby bringing the traditional institution to ridicule and disrepute.
